Overview

If you own restoration hardware you should have a bottle of Darkening Solution. This solution effectively antiquates or darkens brass, copper or bronze. It changes the color gradually so you can control the darkness of your hardware. Easy to apply. For solid brass only. Not for use on lacquered brass or brass-plated surfaces.

BEST ANSWER:This product is not recommended for sinks or plumbing fixtures. It is suggested for solid brass items that are unlacquered that can be submersed in the solution, such as furniture knobs, pulls or hinges.

BEST ANSWER:This product is not recommended for sinks or plumbing fixtures. It is suggested for solid brass items that are unlacquered that can be submersed in the solution, such as furniture knobs, pulls or hinges.

how does this work if you have to brush the product on object instead of dipping object into it?

A shopper
on May 8, 2015

BEST ANSWER:I brushed it onto my refridgerator handles with a sponge brush and let it dry....many coats. It was taking a long time. Then I saturated a paper towel with the product and wrapped it around my fridge handle...used some tape to secure it and kept wetting the paper towel as it was drying out. My oil rubbed bronze handles had been 'scratched' down to the brass...maybe from wedding rings?? not sure. The darkening solution did work, however it hasn't lasted all that long...couple of months... and I need to repeat the process. But the fridge is heavily used. Good luck!

BEST ANSWER:I brushed it onto my refridgerator handles with a sponge brush and let it dry....many coats. It was taking a long time. Then I saturated a paper towel with the product and wrapped it around my fridge handle...used some tape to secure it and kept wetting the paper towel as it was drying out. My oil rubbed bronze handles had been 'scratched' down to the brass...maybe from wedding rings?? not sure. The darkening solution did work, however it hasn't lasted all that long...couple of months... and I need to repeat the process. But the fridge is heavily used. Good luck!

It would be helpful to know what object you were trying to darken. When I used the product I needed to antique mesh screens for insert in cabinet fronts. I think I tried brushing because the screens were large and I didn't have a container to hold them, but it didn't work. I built trays to size and immersed the screens in the solution briefly, and that worked. In most cases, you should be able to dip the object. If you have an object with mixed materials, you can try brushing or soaking a cotton cloth in the solution and holding it in place. Ideally though, object should sit in solution.

I had a situation where I could not dip my object. It was a refrigerator door handle attached to a custom wood panel. it would have been a ton of work to separate the handle from the panel. I wet a paper towel with the solution, wrapped the paper towel around the handle. I then wrapped saran wrap or a plastic shopping bag (I forget which at this point) tightly around the paper towel and sealed the edges with painters masking tape to that the solution didn't drip out or run. I left all that on for about 12 hours. Worked great

BEST ANSWER:Yes, I used it on my btass brass fixtures but you need enough of the liquid to sumerge the parts, and you have to remove the clear coating on the fixtures first, to get down to the bare brass. I used a spray on paint/varnish remover. I darkened my fixtures to look like oil rubbed bronze, and no one can tell they weren't purchased that way,works great!

BEST ANSWER:Yes, I used it on my btass brass fixtures but you need enough of the liquid to sumerge the parts, and you have to remove the clear coating on the fixtures first, to get down to the bare brass. I used a spray on paint/varnish remover. I darkened my fixtures to look like oil rubbed bronze, and no one can tell they weren't purchased that way,works great!

I purchased this same solution for a brass chandelier I wanted to darken and give a patina look. I used acetone to remove the gloss (Google research) but I didn't get the results that I wanted. I was not able to dip my piece into the solution like it recommends and I think that is why I didn't get the results I wanted. Hopefully it will work for you.

BEST ANSWER:I Use this darken solution to darken brass knight heads for staffs I build every year. It can take a lot if only I would submerse them. Try using a cotton ball with a pair of gloves or pliers. Wipe the entire piece quickly and let dry completely. Using several coats you can darken a bit more each time. After the first coat wipe on the following coats gently without rubbing too hard. It is possible to rub off the first coat with the second. If your pressure is constantly too much, try a chip or natural hair brush to apply the coats. It takes a bit of time. The longer you let each coat dry the easier it is not to rub off.Carl P. Choquette

BEST ANSWER:I Use this darken solution to darken brass knight heads for staffs I build every year. It can take a lot if only I would submerse them. Try using a cotton ball with a pair of gloves or pliers. Wipe the entire piece quickly and let dry completely. Using several coats you can darken a bit more each time. After the first coat wipe on the following coats gently without rubbing too hard. It is possible to rub off the first coat with the second. If your pressure is constantly too much, try a chip or natural hair brush to apply the coats. It takes a bit of time. The longer you let each coat dry the easier it is not to rub off.Carl P. Choquette

BEST ANSWER:Yes you can, I usually pour mine back in the bottle and reuse. It will lengthen the time for the solution to work as time goes on and the amount of times used. Usually the darker the older it gets.

BEST ANSWER:Yes you can, I usually pour mine back in the bottle and reuse. It will lengthen the time for the solution to work as time goes on and the amount of times used. Usually the darker the older it gets.

Yes. I always just pour the solution back into the bottle after use. However, I've found that the solution seems to lose strength after several years. I assume that's not entirely because of the recycling.

BEST ANSWER:You use this straight not mixed with anything. I usually pour this into another container just enough to cover the pieces you want to darken. I have used this with brass but you must remove the laquer that most brass pieces are coated with, rubbed with acetone and then lightly sanded with a fine grit sandpaper usually works. This is amazing on other metals as well, I buy zinc coated hardware and then dip them in this for a few seconds and they are instantly dark, looking like raw steel. It is awesome because it saves me so much time vs trying to age hardware with vinegar or other solutions and it is not toxic to use.

BEST ANSWER:You use this straight not mixed with anything. I usually pour this into another container just enough to cover the pieces you want to darken. I have used this with brass but you must remove the laquer that most brass pieces are coated with, rubbed with acetone and then lightly sanded with a fine grit sandpaper usually works. This is amazing on other metals as well, I buy zinc coated hardware and then dip them in this for a few seconds and they are instantly dark, looking like raw steel. It is awesome because it saves me so much time vs trying to age hardware with vinegar or other solutions and it is not toxic to use.

I use it straight. I've never thought to mix it with anything, although I suppose you could. Undilluted, it takes only a few seconds to significantly darken a brass finish. Within 7-10 seconds of immersion, anything I've ever darkened is as dark as you would want it to be and by 15-20 secs begins to become too dark. So mixing with water may lengthen that time thus allowing for a larger margin of error with timing. Although, again, I've never tried it.

Does this solution damage glass or crystal? I have found an older chandelier that seems near impossible to take apart, and I was wondering if I were to rotate as I submerged the piece bit by bit would the darkening solution etch or cause damage to the glass? Has anyone had any experience attempting a similar project?

BEST ANSWER:I have 2 pendant lights that have polished nickel trim. Everything else in my kitchen is satin nickel. Can this be used to create a satin nickel finish right on the glass shade? Thank you!!

BEST ANSWER:I have 2 pendant lights that have polished nickel trim. Everything else in my kitchen is satin nickel. Can this be used to create a satin nickel finish right on the glass shade? Thank you!!

BEST ANSWER:It sounds like possibly your items were not 'solid' brass and you removed the plated layer. I did the same thing with silver plate and if I want it to go back to original I will have to have them plated again

BEST ANSWER:It sounds like possibly your items were not 'solid' brass and you removed the plated layer. I did the same thing with silver plate and if I want it to go back to original I will have to have them plated again

By clean them do you mean use the solution to darken them? The only way to restore the gold brass color is to use an abrasive to remove the darkening, it should be rather thin and easy to remove and polish again, but very difficult in recess areas.

We have oil rubbed bronze knobs and faucets. Some of them are beginning to "wear off" the bronze finish exposing a more "brass" finish. Could this be used to restore the bronze color to the knobs and faucets?

BEST ANSWER:The first question is whether the parts are really brass. A lot of those finishes are applied to aluminum or steel or even plastic. If the pieces are really brass, i suppose you could simply soak the parts to darken the worn areas and reapply the clear coat, but you'll end up with an uneven finish. In order to refinish them properly you'd have to strip the old finish down to raw brass and soak them in the bds to the desired shade, dry them and apply a clear coat to preserve. If you want a really dark patina soak them more than once.In any case, you'll need a lot more than a few ozs to do this. More like a gallon.

BEST ANSWER:The first question is whether the parts are really brass. A lot of those finishes are applied to aluminum or steel or even plastic. If the pieces are really brass, i suppose you could simply soak the parts to darken the worn areas and reapply the clear coat, but you'll end up with an uneven finish. In order to refinish them properly you'd have to strip the old finish down to raw brass and soak them in the bds to the desired shade, dry them and apply a clear coat to preserve. If you want a really dark patina soak them more than once.In any case, you'll need a lot more than a few ozs to do this. More like a gallon.

I am considering buying two wall sconces that are shiny brass (both are brand new). I love the lights but would prefer an antique finish. Could I use this product to age them? And is do, how much product would I need? They are pharmacy style swing arm wall lamps with brass cord covers.

BEST ANSWER:Assuming the fixtures are really brass, they are likely polished and clear-coated. In this case, you'd have to remove the clear coat and then soak in the darkening solution.

In my experience the parts have to be submerged in the solution to darken the surface with any regularity. I've done little things with a rag soaked in the solution and placed on the workpiece, but the results are not even. So, you'd probably need to get a quart of the solution, disassemble the fixtures and soak the pieces in a small paint bucket a few at a time. Otherwise you're have to get five gallons of the stuff which would cost you about $700.

BEST ANSWER:Assuming the fixtures are really brass, they are likely polished and clear-coated. In this case, you'd have to remove the clear coat and then soak in the darkening solution.

In my experience the parts have to be submerged in the solution to darken the surface with any regularity. I've done little things with a rag soaked in the solution and placed on the workpiece, but the results are not even. So, you'd probably need to get a quart of the solution, disassemble the fixtures and soak the pieces in a small paint bucket a few at a time. Otherwise you're have to get five gallons of the stuff which would cost you about $700.

You would need enough product to fully cover the items in a bath to get the ideal finish result. Keeping in mind to remove the lacquer finish before dipping is also required. I have done large 8' flat strips and large bulky items like your sconces. Find the ideal container to immerse the sconces with them not touching any part of the container and fill with water and then measure to get your answer. It will work well if the directions are followed. Good Luck!!

BEST ANSWER:Yes, it should, if the foot rest is real brass. If it has a coating or sealer that would have to be removed first. Brass darkening solution also works on steel and nickel plated steel. It gives a nice dark color. I use it all the time in my work in a museum to give fasteners and metal parts a nice dark natural look.

BEST ANSWER:Yes, it should, if the foot rest is real brass. If it has a coating or sealer that would have to be removed first. Brass darkening solution also works on steel and nickel plated steel. It gives a nice dark color. I use it all the time in my work in a museum to give fasteners and metal parts a nice dark natural look.

I would expect it to darken, but I would not expect a nice uniform dark bronze result. I used it on some bright brass hinges and the result was in the desired direction, but not uniformly dark. You should also try looking up the process on the internet and see what mix it yourself options there might be.

We purchased a solid brass oil rubbed bronze lockset that has way too much red tones in it. Will this solution work to dark the lockset? Do I need to do a finish coat of something else? Thanks in advance.

BEST ANSWER:I used this product to darken a brass sink where the factory patina had been scrubbed through. I found you can adjust the hue by multiple applications and controlling the exposure time. After some trial and error I was able to make a decent match. Heavy and long exposure of the product will turn the brass very dark, almost black.

BEST ANSWER:I used this product to darken a brass sink where the factory patina had been scrubbed through. I found you can adjust the hue by multiple applications and controlling the exposure time. After some trial and error I was able to make a decent match. Heavy and long exposure of the product will turn the brass very dark, almost black.

To be safe I would try to contact the lock manufacturer and get advice from their people before trying anything. Or purchase the small bottle and see what happens on a small, inconspicuous area of the lock.

I have a large copper kitchen sink that had a dark brown patina. My housekeeper used a commercial stainless steel cleaner on the sink, which eliminated all of the patina on the sink and left a bright copper metal finish. Can your product return the original patina to such a large area?

BEST ANSWER:It's hard to get an even finish by brushing it on, but you will def. be able to darken it. I would brush it on and as it pools in the bottom of the plugged sink, continually dip the brush and keep coating the sides. Then, once it darkens wipe it out and even out the color with super fine steel wool. Then repeat the brushing until it's dark enough after wiping.

Also, in my experience the patina achieved with this is not as stable as a natural one and it will probably lighten whenever it's rubbed clean. This might give you a good start on a good natural patina though.

BEST ANSWER:It's hard to get an even finish by brushing it on, but you will def. be able to darken it. I would brush it on and as it pools in the bottom of the plugged sink, continually dip the brush and keep coating the sides. Then, once it darkens wipe it out and even out the color with super fine steel wool. Then repeat the brushing until it's dark enough after wiping.

Also, in my experience the patina achieved with this is not as stable as a natural one and it will probably lighten whenever it's rubbed clean. This might give you a good start on a good natural patina though.

My housekeeper did the same thing to some antique bronzed faucets. I was able to substantially restore the darkened finish -- not perfectly, but quite well. I probably didn't prep the surface carefully enough.I'd give it a try. I think there's a good chance you'll be happy.

BEST ANSWER:I purchased this solution with the intention of simply rubbing a moistened cloth of the darkening solution on flat copper sheets to quickly age the appearance of an outdoor custom dormer. The method I used was ineffective. I found that in order to color the copper to a darker hew, I needed to soak the copper in the solution, which was impractical for my project.

BEST ANSWER:I purchased this solution with the intention of simply rubbing a moistened cloth of the darkening solution on flat copper sheets to quickly age the appearance of an outdoor custom dormer. The method I used was ineffective. I found that in order to color the copper to a darker hew, I needed to soak the copper in the solution, which was impractical for my project.

I wish to darken a brass post to the aged patina of brown. I have used gun blue and that darkens it to black which is not what I want. Can this product produce a natural plum brown color to what is currently a shiny brass?

Reviews

We're selling our house and I needed a quick and inexpensive fix for all of the shiny brass cabinet hardware to bring our house to the current century. This filled the bill. One bottle later, we had antiqued brass hardware, which is fortunately now in style. (BTW, our house sold to the first person that looked at it. Really!)

I recently replaced a screen door but could not find one with oil-rubbed bronze hardware in the right size. So I bought an Andersen 2000 door with solid brass hardware, softened the lacquer in lacquer thinner and then removed it with a Scotchbrite pad. After about 2 minutes of soaking in the brass darkener, I had a beautiful dark brass finish, which I then rubbed down with some mineral oil. It looks great. By the way, the door sweep was plated so I couldn't use this, so I matched the door sweep with several thin coats of Rustoleum Oil Rubbed Bronze paint. Purchased at a home center, it is a decent (90%) match to the treated hardware.

I have used this for years and it works wonderfuly. I do have a hint. The solution is reusable, granted that it does get weaker and takes longer, the more that it is used. After use, I place a small funnel in the top of the bottle, line it with a paper towel, and pour the used solution through it. If you haven't used all the solution and there is still some unused in the original bottle, you might want to pour the used into a different bottle, but be sure to label it carefully.

This product did not work for me. In fact, now I have dark black patches in my oil rubbed bronze sink. In fact, my sink looks worse than before so now it needs to be replaced. Very disappointed.Editor's note: This product is not recommend for plated surfaces. Oil rubbed bronze would fall under this type of surface.

This is an awesome solution for anyone looking to age hardware for a project. I have used it on brass as it is intended for but also on other hardware, it will turn shiny zinc coated hardware dark like raw steel in seconds. I apply it to any metal that needs dulling or darkening.

The product does what it says, but we were darkening kitchen hinges to match new pulls on cupboards. Sanding was necessary of each little hinge before the solution could work, so the process was not really easy! I wish then I had thought to soak them in lacquer thinner as another review that I just read suggests. That probably would have simplified the process dramatically!!

I needed to age and darken a new brass railing and read about various chemicals etc , thinking I should be able to find something inexpensive and easy to use. Finally I gave up on finding the ingredients for a homemade solution - too much research and time - and I just ordered this stuff from Rockler. It came within a couple of days, I tried it, and it worked fine. I used the 8 oz size for about 17 ft of railing and posts and had a little left over. I couldn't dip it so I simply painted it on until the brass reached the color I wanted.

I was very impressed with the instant results of the Brass Darkening Solution. I used it on a new brass watch to give it an aged patina, and other treatments took much longer with uneven results. I just submerged the watch case into a cup of the solution and I could see it transforming within the first minute, it was amazing.

I had about 9 feet of 2&quot; bright brass foot railing around my bar that was very bright. Everything in the house was oil rubbed bronze. I ordered the 32 oz. bottle and cut a length of 3&quot; PVC in half length wise to fit the longest piece of railing to use as a dipping bath. I then bought two rubber stoppers to close off the ends (no use wasting the chemical on the inside of the pipe). The 32 oz. bottle was enough for the railing and all the hardware with about 5 oz. left over. The longer you leave it in the darker it gets. Turned out wonderful and save a lot of money by not having to order the railing in the expensive oil rubbed bronze finish. 5 stars!

Product worked well. I had an oil-rubbed bronze sink that had some electrolysis occur causing one spot to be copper-colored. I put solution on a paper towel and allowed it to stay on copper colored spot until color matched oil rubbed bronze. In a few minutes, it did and I rinsed off and it looks great!

I used this product to darken the new brass hinges for my wife's Hoosier Cabinet. It did an excellent job but oil form your finger prints will show in the darkening process I solved this problem by washing the hinges with Acetone and held them with hemostats so no finger prints showed up.

I repair and restore antique clocks. I discovered this solution years ago while on vacation in Pennsylvania. I find it indispensable for matching new cabinet hardware to the original. It often prevents my having to replace a complete set of hinges, knobs, etc. Buy it. You won't be disappointed.

I have two darkened copper sinks. The one that is used the most often got lighter with use than the other sink. The darkening solution did not help darken the lighter copper sink. It didn't work for me. Editor's note: As sinks are subject to cleaning and chemical substances on a regualr basis this darkening solution would not be recommended for such an application. The item being darkened needs to be submersed in the solution until the desired darkness is achieved and then the itme needs to be lacquered to keep the shade of darkness.

I think the solution had been sitting on the shelf for too long. It did not produce a consistent dark antiquing look. But rather blotchy stains that I had to use elbow grease to remove. Had to get another brand to get the results I needed.

I ordered a bottle of the darkening liquid, but did not realize that objects needed to be soaked in the liquid, as it was not stated in the ads online. The items I have are too large, unless I buy large amounts, which would be too costly. I tried applying liquid to the surface, but it did not work.

Unfortunately, it didn't work for me. I have some oil rubbed bronze faucets in the bath...the finish had been almost completely taken off by improper cleaning solutions. I thought this product would darken the copper color enough to avoid replacing them. I soaked some paper towels and left on the faucets for a long time, but the faint darker color was uneven and rubbed of easily.